University News

Marietta Loehrlein, a professor of horticulture and landscaping in Western Illinois University's School of Agriculture, has published her first e-book with Kindle. According to Loehrlein, the book, "Beyond the Garden Gate," is a collection of essays "on plants and people" originally published in local print media.
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WIU Horticulture Professor Publishes E-Book

February 29, 2012

MACOMB, IL – Marietta Loehrlein, a professor of horticulture and landscaping in Western Illinois University's School of Agriculture, has published her first e-book with Kindle. According to Loehrlein, the book, "Beyond the Garden Gate," is a collection of essays "on plants and people" originally published in local print media.

The e-book's product description on Amazon.com states: "Horticulture meets history, anthropology, and more in this collection of essays about plants and their place in our lives. Each essay is a mini-visit to a plant or plants that examines their usefulness or uses. The book can be opened to any page and immediately enjoyed in just a few minutes."

Topics range from the nutritional value and sustainability of beans, to the historical use of black pepper in trade, to self-medication of animals using plants, to the effect of plants on human psychology, Loehrlein noted.

Loehrlein has also authored a conventional print textbook, "Home Horticulture: Principles and Practices," but this is her first experience with electronic publishing, she said.

"Those who do not own a Kindle reader can access the book by downloading the Kindle reading app on your computer or other electronic device," she added.